One of the best residential Accelerated BSN programs can help individuals with a bachelor’s degree quickly transition to a career in nursing! In today’s challenging job market, residential Accelerated BSN programs, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs, can quickly prepare you for a new career in nursing. These second-degree programs allow anyone with a Bachelor’s degree to transition to the nursing profession.
A career in nursing offers a good salary, flexibility, and meaningful work. Most of the Residential ABSN programs require anywhere from five to fourteen specific prerequisites. These are often science-focused classes, along with classes like psychology, nutrition, and statistics. Once admitted, the accelerated course of study can last from eleven to eighteen months. Therefore, the TopRNtoBSN schools are essential to consider when deciding to dedicate such an intensive amount of time and dedication to your career path.
Methodology: Ranking The Best Residential Accelerated BSN Programs
TopRNtoBSN editors began with a thorough list of all nursing schools that offer an Accelerated BSN degree program. From there, we focused on schools offering on-campus residential programs. Then we ranked the list of the best accelerated BSN nursing programs based on Salary, Reputation, and Tuition Costs. This data came from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and Niche. The following are the Top 25 schools with Residential Accelerated BSN Programs.
1. University of Pennsylvania
The Penn Nursing Residential Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program at the University of Pennsylvania offers students the opportunity to choose from three options. Students with a bachelor’s degree in another area can choose the accelerated BSN Second Degree, the BSN to MSN, or the Hillman PhD option. The BSN program is just fifteen months of study. Students participate in clinical placement at prestigious hospitals, engage in research opportunities, mentorship, and learning through the state-of-the-art simulation center. The curriculum places emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and practice.
Penn Nursing students learn from faculty that includes several top researchers and engage in solving complex challenges. Students go on rounds with physicians, nurses, and quality managers. In addition, there are scholarships and prize opportunities for nursing students. The school offers one of the best residential accelerated BSN programs, holds accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and has a 94.38% NCLEX pass rate.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 89.06% (2022)
Location: Philadelphia, PA
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2. Duke University
The Duke University Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is a full-time, 16-month program. The Duke ABSN is for students that have a bachelor’s degree in another area. The on-campus program focuses on evidence-based practice, health and wellness, disease prevention, culturally appropriate care, and clinical leadership. The school’s Center for Nursing Discovery is the only accredited healthcare simulation education center in North Carolina. Students engage in hands-on learning through a variety of instructional methodologies in a safe and supportive learning environment. Students complete 58 credit hours of study and nearly 800 clinical hours.
Duke University ABSN students benefit from learning from internationally recognized medical faculty and early consideration for admission to the MSN program. Duke University School of Nursing, or DUSON, is the only school in the country to hold three current Centers of Excellence in Nursing Education designations from the National League for Nursing. The nursing school is ranked 10th globally and offers nursing students the opportunity to participate in global clinical and cultural immersion experiences.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 87.84% (2022)
Location: Durham, NC
More: Visit the program
3. Purdue University
The sixteen-month Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Purdue University is one of the best residential accelerated BSN programs. Purdue’s accelerated BSN program is for non-nurses. The program requires that applicants submit proof of completing a bachelor’s degree in another area with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants also submit an essay that explains why they wish to change their careers. The program prepares nurses to work in various healthcare settings, including community health clinics, private physician’s offices, intensive care or surgery departments, or neonatal intensive care units. Purdue nursing students participate in coursework and clinical placements. Faculty members provide students with learning strategies that guide students to deliver high-quality nursing care to individuals and families.
The Professional Experience in Nursing program features a cooperative work experience for eligible students in collaboration with healthcare employers and the Office of Professional Practice. Students that have completed at least one clinical course have the opportunity to participate in an externship. In addition, students benefit from attending a school that works towards impacting healthcare delivery around the globe. Some students begin their nursing careers upon graduation. In contrast, others continue their nursing education at Purdue University and complete an MSN in their choice of several concentration areas. Students can choose from a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree or a PhD in nursing. The school had a 97.5% NCLEX first-time pass rate for 2020.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 97.5%
Location: West Lafayette, IN
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4. University of Washington
The University of Washington offers a fast-track residential accelerated BSN program (ABSN). This unique program features the opportunity to apply for early admission to the school’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse-Midwifery (DNP-NM) program. The program requires that students hold a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field with a minimum of 2.8 GPA. The full-time ABSN with Early DNP Admission program includes course lectures and practice in the simulation center. In addition, the program provides students with more than 1,000 hours of supervised hands-on patient care in the community. Students experience a smooth transition from undergraduate to graduate studies in this best residential accelerated BSN program while preparing for a nurse leadership position. The DNP study teaches students a solid foundation of how to evaluate leading-edge research and apply it to nursing practice. Students can work at birthing centers and hospitals, military installations, international health facilities and agencies, research and education.
The University of Washington is one of the preeminent universities in the world. The university focuses on its primary mission of preservation, advancement, and dissemination of knowledge, including its nursing programs. The nursing program holds CCNE accreditation. In addition, the Nurse-Midwifery DNP program has accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education. The school has a 94.35% first-time NCLEX pass rate for BSN graduates.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 94.35%
Location: Seattle, WA
More: Visit the program.
5. Florida State University
Florida State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program on its main campus. The school admits 72 students in the fall and the spring semesters. There is a competitive admissions process to the School of Nursing once applicants complete general education courses and nursing prerequisite courses. The two-year residential program is one of Florida’s best accelerated BSN programs and the country. Program outcomes include that the student learns to demonstrate professionalism knows to integrates values, skills, and knowledge to provide safe and effective nursing care. In addition, students must demonstrate evidence-based nursing practice. Finally, students utilize healthcare technology to provide effective nursing care and demonstrate compassionate nursing care.
The university recently partnered with the United Health Foundation. After receiving a $1.25 million commitment from the foundation, the university prepares nurse practitioners with the expertise to better address the unique needs of individuals that have served in the US Military. The school also offers a DNP program to choose from several specialties. There is also a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certificate program and other certificate programs.
More: Visit the program.
6. Rutgers University
Rutgers University offers a Second-Degree residential BSN program in an accelerated format. Students complete the program and earn their BSN in just 14 months. The program prepares future nurses through rigorous lectures and clinical studies curriculum. Additionally, the university pairs each student with a faculty advisor that helps the student navigate the fast pace of the program. The Rutgers School of Nursing is a global leader in providing nursing education, research, and scholarship. So, this program is one of the best accelerated BSN programs in NJ.
Rutgers is a world-renowned research faculty with more than 200 clinical partners throughout New Jersey. Graduates choose to begin their nursing career after graduation or earn an MSN, a DNP, or a PhD in nursing. Students and faculty members engage in collaborative research, advocacy, and high-profile presentations to advance nursing science. Rutgers University School of Nursing students, graduates, and faculty focus on continued efforts to impact health care globally. Additionally, the CCNE accredits the BSN programs at Rutgers University.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 97%
Location: Newark, New Brunswick, & Blackwood, NJ
7. University of Delaware
The University of Delaware’s residential Accelerated BSN program is for students with a baccalaureate degree in another area who want to pursue a nursing career. The university admits students into the 17-month on-campus program during the winter term. The mission of the University of Delaware School of Nursing is to advance healthcare through education, healthcare innovation, and scholarly inquiry to improve regional, national, and global health and healthcare delivery. The university focuses on its commitment to the values of inclusivity, excellence, and engagement.
University of Delaware nursing students have the opportunity to apply for many scholarships and assistantships. In addition, the university continually strives to immerse students in real-time opportunities to engage their minds, to provide students with skills that mold the future of healthcare and that support community. As a result, the 2020 University of Delaware NCLEX pass rate is 96.43%, the second-highest first-time pass rate in the state.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 91.4% (2021)
Location: Newark, DE
More: Visit the program
8. Binghamton University SUNY
The Binghamton University State University of New York offers one of the best residential Accelerated BSN in Nursing programs. The Baccalaureate Accelerated Track (BAT) program is for students who want to both earn a second bachelor’s degree and also pursue a nursing career. Students complete the rigorous program in just 12 months. Graduation requires 54 credit hours of nursing courses in addition to 74 credits of previously earned prerequisite and general education courses. The clinical component allows students to care for patients in diverse healthcare settings. In addition, student researchers and faculty engage in research to investigate various problems, discover new knowledge, and collaborate with colleagues across the globe.
The Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Binghamton features the Innovative Simulation and Practice Center (ISPC). It provides students with the opportunity to learn through patient simulations, hands-on skills training, and virtual reality scenarios. In addition, the ISPC has accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare in teaching and education.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 91.4% (2021)
Location: Binghamton, NY
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9. Michigan State University
Students that enroll in the Second Degree residential Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program at Michigan State University hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in another field and now want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The full-time 15-month program starts in May and ends the following August. The program builds on prior learning and prepares students to become professional nurses through courses in the humanities, physical, biological, behavioral, and nursing sciences. The program consists of in-class courses, along with 765 clinical hours. Students benefit from accessing the state-of-the-art Janice Thompson Granger Nursing Learning Center and the Learning and Assessment Center. The university considers research to be a high priority for undergraduate students. Program graduates are highly-qualified nurses prepared to sit for the NCLEX exam.
The Michigan State Spartans boast an outstanding record of students earning national and international scholarships. Additionally, they are designated as a gold-status veteran-friendly school by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. In addition, the university faculty and students work together to create partnerships from local areas to communities around the world. Nursing graduates had a recent NCLEX pass rate of 93%.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 97%
Location: East Lansing, MI
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10. Villanova University
Villanova University offers a Second Degree residential Accelerated BSN program for students with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing and now want to change their career to nursing. Students benefit from the unique opportunity to follow either the 14-month BSN Express Track or the 23-month BSN Flex Track. Both options provide students with the nursing coursework, clinical hours, and research opportunities to become independent thinkers, problem solvers, and professional nurses in a rapidly evolving profession. The College of Nursing has a 98.8% successful undergraduate placement rate and more than 10,000 alumni worldwide.
Nursing students, including those enrolled in the ABSN tracks, focus on serving all communities, including the underserved communities. Students participate in education and service programs and engage in academic, healthcare, and community partnerships. The school has a low faculty-student ratio, with students having the opportunity to work alongside university faculty on research projects.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 97%
Location: Villanova, PA
More: Visit the program
11. Lehman College CUNY
The Lehman College residential Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program consistently ranks among the best schools with Accelerated BSN programs. The school offers the program to students that have graduated with another bachelor’s degree on a competitive basis. The school admits approximately 20 students to the program each year. Students complete the same requirements as students in the traditional BSN but do so in one year. Students learn to demonstrate competency in nursing practice, integrate best practices and clinical judgment, and demonstrate skills in using patient care technologies and information systems. The program also prepares students to demonstrate an understanding of basic research processes. They also learn to implement holistic, patient-centered care across the lifespan and apply leadership skills to effect change and improve safety and patient outcomes.
The ABSN program at Lehman College prepares graduates to start a career in nursing upon graduation or to continue their education in an advanced degree nursing program. The school is the only four-year college in the City University of New York (CUNY) system in the Bronx. It serves a diverse student body, with nearly fifty percent being (50%) first-generation college students.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 70.4% (2021)
Location: Bronx, NY
More: Visit the program
12. University of Houston
The University of Houston offers the residential Accelerated BSN Second Degree in a traditional face-to-face, on-campus format. The program begins in the spring term. It is an intensive 12-month program for students with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in another field. Students gain knowledge and skills in biological sciences, humanities, social sciences, and nursing to become professional nurses and sit for the NCLEX exam upon graduation. The program focuses on teaching critical thinking skills to evaluate nursing outcomes, practical communication skills, critical analysis, and research findings to nursing practice. Students also learn the professional values of nursing and the legal, ethical, and moral aspects of nursing practice.
University of Houston Second Degree BSN students gain the knowledge and skills to enter into the nursing profession to become skilled nurses and leaders in their field. Students have the opportunity to apply for internal and external scholarships. The school boasts full CCNE accreditation and a 100% NCLEX first-time pass rate for 2020. It is no surprise the University of Houston has one of the best accelerated BSN programs in Texas.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 97%
Location: Houston, TX
More: Visit the program
13. Florida International University
The Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Florida International University offers one of the best residential Accelerated BSN programs in Florida and the country. The ABSN at FIU prepares students with a bachelor’s degree for a nursing career. The three-semester, full-time program starts in the fall semester of each year and focuses on a curriculum that includes hands-on, learner-centered education. Students gain problem-solving skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, and ethical reasoning abilities. In addition, they learn the technical nursing skills needed to be successful in nursing practice. The university believes that learning by doing is a crucial component of nursing education programs. The FIU provides students access to the Simulation Teaching and Research Center (STAR Center). The mock hospital uses cutting-edge simulation equipment, web-based technologies, digital imaging systems, and other state-of-the-art equipment and technologies to prepare students for real-world nursing practice.
The nursing program offers students the opportunity to apply for scholarships and other financial aid to help with some nursing education program costs. The school strives for academic excellence and social responsibility. It takes pride in its highly qualified faculty and many student resources to help nursing students prepare for their nursing careers. Florida International University is a Top 50 Public Research University. It ranks 1st in the state according to the Board of Governors’ performance-based funding scores.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 88.89% (2022)
Location: Miami, FL
More: Visit the program.
14. Hunter College CUNY
The School of Nursing at Hunter College offers a residential Accelerated BSN Second Degree Program. Hunter holds the distinction of being the flagship nursing school of The City University of New York (CUNY). The school’s post-baccalaureate program is for students with a 3.2 minimum GPA in a non-nursing bachelor’s degree that want to pursue a nursing career. The degree requires 51-credit hours and takes approximately 18 months to complete. Students complete the coursework and clinical requirements over five semesters and qualify to take the NCLEX exam upon graduation. The Hunter ABSN program provides a comprehensive base education for students that wish to continue their nursing education and earn a graduate degree. In addition, Hunter College offers MSN programs with five concentrations, a post-graduate nursing certificate program, and doctoral programs.
Hunter College focuses on preparing nurses for 21st-century nursing practice in urban environments with diverse populations. The college consistently works towards providing quality nursing education to serve culturally diverse urban and global communities through scholarship, service, and research. Students have the opportunity to participate in research with faculty as research assistants. The school had a 2021 first-time pass rate on the NCLEX exam of 93.3%.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 93.3% (2021)
Location: New York, NY
More: Visit the program
15. California State University-Los Angeles
The California State University Los Angeles, or Cal State LA residential Accelerated BSN program is for students who do not hold current RN licensure and hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing. The university admits a new cohort of students each June for the program that consists of 53 semester hours of study. Students complete both didactic and clinical coursework once admitted to the program and throughout the 15 months of study. The program prepares adult learners to become 21st-century professional nurses with the opportunity to advance their careers. In addition, the school offers several graduate programs and the opportunity to begin nursing practice after graduating from the program.
As one of the best accelerated BSN programs in California, Cal State LA provides students with several opportunities for success. The Educational Opportunity Program serves first-generation undergraduate students from California. It helps them overcome the social and economic barriers of attaining higher education. The school offers assistance through the Career Center and the Veterans Resource Center. In addition, Cal State LA offers several scholarships that help lower the ABSN program’s cost.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 97%
Location: Los Angeles, CA
More: Visit the program
16. Stony Brook School of Nursing
The Stony Brook School of Nursing offers a residential Accelerated BSN program. It gives students with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field the opportunity to earn a BSN in just 12 months. The 1 year accelerated BSN programs provide students with various learning opportunities that focus on individuals, families, groups, and communities. Students gain exposure to various delivery models of professional nursing care, which helps students learn to integrate the best current evidence with clinical expertise in the delivery of safe, high-quality nursing care to individuals, families, and communities. In addition, students learn the latest information management and patient care technologies and apply knowledge and skills in nursing leadership, quality improvement, and clinical expertise.
The school emphasizes that it embraces the four aspects of scholarship: discovery, teaching, application to clinical practice, and the integration of ideas from nursing and other disciplines. Stony Brook School of Nursing offers several awards and scholarship opportunities, access to the Health Science Library, and various other student services. The school had an impressive 95.5% pass rate for the 2021 NCLEX exam.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 95.5% (2021)
Location: Stony Brook, NY
More: Visit the program.
17. West Virginia University
The School of Nursing at West Virginia University offers one of the best residential Accelerated BSN programs. Furthermore, the WVU “BS/BA-BSN” Bachelor of Science in Nursing program has only one start date every year in the spring. Students that hold a baccalaureate degree have the opportunity to earn a BSN in an accelerated format. Offered at the Morgantown campus, the program is full-time with 18 months of continuous study. The WVU nursing program focuses on the five core competencies, including critical thinking, nursing interventions, the professional role, caring, and communications. Students learn from expert faculty, many of whom continue their practice. The school envisions an enhanced quality of life, optimal health, and excellent health care for residents of West Virginia and the global community. There is a commitment to the values of integrity, excellence, and inclusiveness.
West Virginia University offers unique benefits for students enrolled in the accelerated BSN program. There are two state-of-the-art simulation facilities rather than one facility available at many schools. In addition, students have the benefit of the HSC Student Laptop Computer Program. Students have access to various computer resources, including a personal laptop computer and onsite computer support. The computer program and other benefits provide students with tools that help with the program studies that lead to graduation and the opportunity to sit for the NCLEX exam. West Virginia University holds CCNE accreditation.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 97%
Location: Morgantown, WV
More: Visit the program
18. University of Buffalo
The University of Buffalo residential Accelerated BSN program provides students that already have a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree with the opportunity to start a nursing career. The degree is a highly competitive, intensive 12-month program for career-minded students. There is a prescribed sequence for the required coursework and students must complete 700 clinical hours. Students also complete a three-week preceptorship, which provides the opportunity to work one-on-one with a nurse in a clinical setting. After completing the 59 course credit hours and graduating, students can sit for the NCLEX exam.
All students enrolled in the Accelerated BSN program have access to the clinical skills lab and the health assessment lab. In addition, the program provides the opportunity for interested students to earn up to seven graduate credits. Students can apply for a graduate degree in a specialized area of interest. Students enrolled in the best residential Accelerated BSN program had a 98% 2020 NCLEX pass rate. The University of Buffalo has current CCNE accreditation.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 98%
Location: Buffalo, NY
More: Visit the program
19. Clemson University
The Clemson University residential Accelerated BSN Second Degree Nursing program is for individuals with a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in another field. Each fall, a new cohort of twenty-five students begins the program. The program consists of 16 months of intensive full-time study. Students engage in rigorous clinical experiences in addition to the on-campus coursework. They learn to use critical thinking skills to provide community-based professional nursing in multiple settings across the lifespan. Throughout the program, professional responsibility and standards of nursing practice integrate with the technical curriculum. The program also prepares professional nurses with leadership skills, management skills, and knowledge of health policy.
Clemson Tigers that enroll at the Clemson School of Nursing can start their nursing career immediately after graduation, or continue their nursing education. Some students complete an MSN in Nursing, a post-graduate certificate program, a DNP program, or also a PhD in Nursing. Clemson School of Nursing has nearly a one-hundred percent (100%) job placement rate within three months of graduation. Additionally, the school holds accreditation from CCNE.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 97%
Location: Clemson, SC
More: Visit the program
20. University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh offers a residential Accelerated BSN Second Degree program. The Pittsburg ABSN is for individuals who currently hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing and want to pursue a nursing career. This program builds on knowledge from a previous bachelor’s degree and also prepares students to become registered nurses. The program focuses on a rigorous curriculum that consists of just three semesters of full-time, on-campus study. Students also complete 810 hours of clinical experiences in diverse healthcare settings. Some settings include the six major teaching hospitals in the area and more than 50 healthcare facilities.
Students enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh ABSN program learn from the same faculty and complete the same nursing courses and clinical as students enrolled in the traditional four-year BSN program. As a result, the school consistently ranks among the top nursing schools in the US and around the globe. In addition, many students choose to advance their career opportunities by completing a graduate degree, such as the MSN, DNP, dual DNP-PhD program, or a PhD program. Furthermore, the university had a 96.53% NCLEX pass rate for 2019-2020.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 87.40% (2022)
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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21. Northeastern University
The Northeastern residential Accelerated BSN program near Boston provides students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree an opportunity to earn a second degree in nursing quickly. Applicants with a minimum of 3.0 GPA can earn an accelerated BSN at the Bouve College of Health Sciences. Students learn through online coursework and hands-on learning. The 16-month program immerses students in nursing labs and clinical rotations at top healthcare facilities that provide real-world experiences. Students learn to deliver compassionate, competent care to patients and deliver care that meets patients’ unique cultural and faith needs in diverse patient populations. Students also demonstrate clinical judgment and leadership skills and learn to collaborate with other healthcare professionals.
Prospective students have more opportunities to start the ABSN program compared to some other schools. The university admits new cohorts of ABSN students three times a year. The CCNE accredits the nursing programs at Northeastern University, which has a 100% NCLEX pass rate for August 2020.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 100%
Location: Burlington, MA
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22. University of Rochester
The residential Accelerated BSN program at the University of Rochester is for students with a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing. Rochester’s Accelerated Programs for Non-Nurses (APNN) provide an opportunity for students to both change careers and earn a BSN. So, students can complete Rochester’s Accelerated Bachelor’s Program for Non-Nurses (ABPNN) in twelve months. In addition, the university’s association with the University of Rochester Medical Center provides clinical experiences for nursing students that are literally in the neighborhood. The challenging program includes clinical rotations in areas such as med-Surg, pediatrics, psychiatry, and obstetrics.
The university remains focused on academic innovation to prepare students for academic success. Additionally, the School of Nursing awards scholarships to ABSN students that demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and also leadership potential. The school also offers several other internal and external scholarships to help ABSN students finance their education.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 84.0% (2021)
Location: Rochester, NY
More: Visit the program
23. University of Massachusetts Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst residential Accelerated BSN prepares students for a career in nursing as students with a second bachelor’s degree. Students complete the full-time program on-campus in just 17 months. The university admits students each year in August and prepares them to become proficient in nursing skills and technology. Students engage in clinical experiences for at least two days a week for each term and engage in NCLEX assessments. Students have the opportunity to start their nursing career immediately after graduation or to continue their nursing education at the school to earn a graduate degree.
The UMass Amherst offers outstanding student resources, including access to the W.E.B. DuBois Library, various scholarships, and other possibilities to finance the Accelerated BS in Nursing program costs. In addition, the program has accreditation from the CCNE and has a 93% NCLEX pass rate.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 93%
Location: Amherst, MA
More: Visit the program.
24. Florida Atlantic University
Applicants for Florida Atlantic’s residential Accelerated BSN program must earn a bachelor’s degree in another field before the application deadline. The program is full-time and also takes four semesters to complete. During the program, students spend 24-40 hours in classes and clinical practice. In addition, they will spend an estimated forty hours each week studying. Because the program is fast-paced and highly demanding, students should refrain from working while enrolled.
Florida Atlantic University is Southeast Florida’s first public university. The main campus is in Boca Raton, and there are also five satellite campuses throughout the state. The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing is one of FIU’s notable colleges. So, the nursing school offers a variety of programs, including the highly acclaimed Accelerated BSN.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 97.01% (2022)
Location: Boca Raton, FL
More: Visit the program
25. Mount Carmel College of Nursing
Students can complete the second-degree residential Accelerated BSN Program at Mount Carmel College in as few as thirteen months. The program is for students with a non-nursing degree interested in becoming Registered Nurses (RNs). With forty hours per week of class and clinical requirements, the SDAP Accelerated BSN degree from Mount Carmel is demanding. The program begins in January, and students sit for the NCLEX registered nursing exam by the following February.
Mount Carmel has long-standing roots dating back to the turn of the 20th century. The school opened in 1903 by the sisters of the Holy Cross. Its College of Nursing has the most extensive BSN program for a private school in Ohio. The undergraduate population is diverse, and the school boasts a graduation rate of eighty percent. As a result, Mount Carmel is one of the best options for students seeking a nursing education today, with degree options from certificates to a doctorate and multiple learning options.
Accreditation: CCNE
NCLEX RN pass rate: 97%
Location: Columbus, Ohio
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What Is A Best Residential Accelerated BSN Program?
A residential accelerated BSN program provides students that already have at least a baccalaureate degree with the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in an accelerated format. The basic idea is students completed all the general education requirements when they earned their first Bachelor’s degree.
Since the core classes were met in the previous degree, the classes that they take are specific to the second degree in nursing. For example, some schools feature the opportunity to earn a degree in just one year of study. At the same time, some programs take up to 18 months to complete the ABSN requirements. Accelerated BSNs are offered both online and in traditional BSN programs on-campus.
Is a Best Residential Accelerated BSN Hard?
The curriculum of an accelerated BSN is typically the same curriculum taught in a traditional BSN program. The difference is the fast pace, which requires commitment and motivation, and the ability to complete the requirements within the specified time. In addition, students typically meet with an adviser or mentor throughout the program that helps with completing the program.
What do you Learn in an Accelerated BSN Program?
An accelerated BSN program typically covers the same curriculum as a traditional four-year BSN program, but in a condensed format. It typically takes 12-18 months to complete. Common courses include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition, health assessment, pathophysiology, and nursing research. Students also learn communication and leadership skills and practice clinical skills in a variety of settings. In addition, students learn how to provide care to patients with different illnesses, how to use technology in nursing, and how to manage patient care.
Is a Best Residential Accelerated BSN Program Worth It?
There is a nursing shortage across the country and in many global communities. Earning an accelerated nursing degree from one of these best accelerated BSN nursing programs allows students to graduate much sooner than completing a traditional BSN program. As a result, students have the opportunity to leave a career that they do not like and enjoy a rewarding nursing career. In addition, the degree prepares students to enroll in one of the many master’s degrees programs for nursing.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the national average salary for Registered Nurses is $77,600 per year. However, the range is from $59,450 to more than $120,250.
What Are The Admission Requirements for Accelerated BSN Programs?
Admission requirements for best accelerated nursing programs vary by school. Generally, applicants must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in any discipline and have completed a set of prerequisite coursework including general chemistry, organic chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, nutrition, and statistics. Additionally, prospective nursing students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their undergraduate studies and submit letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal essay. Some programs may also require an interview or placement tests.
Are The Best Residential Accelerated BSN Programs Harder To Get Into?
Schools that offer the best accelerated second degree BSN programs require that students already have a degree in another area. Students also have to meet the required minimum GPA. A small cohort of students is admitted each term. Students concerned about difficulties getting into one of the best schools for accelerated nursing programs may want to consider a school that admits more than one cohort of students a year.
Should I Work During A Best Residential Accelerated BSN Program?
Accelerated nursing programs consist of a rigorous program of study and clinical requirements. Some students may find it challenging to work and complete the program. As a result, some schools may not allow students to work while in an accelerated nursing program.
Other Schools
Our list does not contain all the schools with accelerated programs for nursing. So, if you are still looking, one of the schools below may interest you.
- Georgia Southern University
- Northeast Alabama Community College
- Western Illinois University
- George Washington University
- Texas Christian University
- Grand Valley State University
- East Carolina University
- Los Angeles Harbor College
- University of North Florida
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